All posts by George Walters

George Walters is a Canadian columnist and author with more than forty years of writing experience. For over twenty years he has written a weekly column for Postmedia Network — Canada's largest newspaper chain — never missing a single week, publishing fifty-two stories a year. Combined with his work in Reader's Digest Community Voices, World News, Country Living, The Country Register, and farm and rural lifestyle magazines across Canada, he has published well over two thousand stories drawn from everyday life. He writes about farm work, fishing, old trucks, and the kind of people you only find in small towns — but just as likely he'll hand a voice to a weathered telephone pole, or turn his eye on something happening in the world today and tell you exactly what he thinks about it. No subject is off limits. If there's a story in it, George will find it. He has been called a philosopher of everyday life, a description that came up more than once during his television appearances over the years — and it's not hard to see why. His writing has a way of making the ordinary feel worth sitting with. He is the author of eleven books, including yearly short story collections and the Clay Moretti Files mystery series. Clay is a fifty-year-old private investigator who drives a 1967 Ford Galaxie, smokes cigars, and operates by a code the modern world gave up on a long time ago. The cases are present day. The man handling them is not. All titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon. Together, George and his wife Ruth have also created Elmer Finds His Way, the first in what he hopes will be a long series of children's books. Ruth did all the illustrations, as she has for every one of George's books — and beyond that she designed and painted the covers as well. Her work is woven into every page of everything he has published. A few words from readers: "I pulled up a kitchen chair and read your story three times." "You have a way of making a person homesick for a place they haven't been to." "Thank you for writing things that make old people and kids feel the same way at the same time." All my titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.ca here.

What’s Happening in Our Neck of The Woods on Feb. 25/2024

Good Morning! “Another day dawns, another chance to see the world with eyes weathered by time and warmed by memories.” Speaking for myself, of course.

Walking to the woodworking shop this morning, I found the air isn’t as cold as it has been for the past two days. Which means spring is in the air, but in saying that we can still see some not so good weather living where we do.

Highway 522 is quiet this morning, which is to be expected, especially this time of year.

Remember When: Years ago, I remember when a handshake was as good as gold and a man’s word was his bond. Nowadays, you need a lawyer just to say hello.

On another note, yesterday I worked away here at my computer along with feeding my shop stove and our furnace here in the house. My wife she kept busy as usual with her housework, which is never ending, along with looking after me, and trying to keep up with her orders for our gift shop. Busy lady for sure.

Today I am thinking of doing some work in my shop, but we will have to see how that works out, my old body hasn’t been up to par for the past couple days.

With that I am off for my breakfast that my lovely wife is preparing for me, and will then see what takes place. One day at a time, sometimes … one hour at a time.

You all have a great day and remember: “Life in the north is like maple syrup – slow to boil, but oh-so-sweet in the end.” GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

What’s Stirrin’ in Cottage Country on Feb. 24/2024

Good Morning! They say laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. Well … let’s hope we have plenty of sunshine today.

On February twenty-four, my wife and I have always set down with the books, to see where we’re at financially … and what adjustments we might need to make it through another year. It’s important to glance ahead and consider what the future holds. As just as seeds today promise crops tomorrow, without tomorrow’s planning, there’s no harvest ahead. Taken from a farmer’s perspective.

Highway 522 is slow this morning, but the good news is, it’s clear of snow and ice, which will make traveling good for those that are in need of some supplies, that can’t be had here in town.

I have always said that you know you’re in a small town when the biggest news of the day is who found a four-leaf clover in their backyard, or who’s growin’ the tallest sunflower. Rivetin’ stuff, I tell ya.

On another note, yesterday I got busy in my woodworking shop getting ready for another project, and with that and getting it warmed up a bit, I plumb forgot about doing my blog. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Politician Humor: How does a politician resemble a snowdrift?
They both promise a lot and seem big at first, but when the sun shines like today, they disappear! It seems it’s been like that all my life, and I have been around for a while.

With that I am off for a bowl of porridge and another grapefruit that my lovely wife has put together for me, and will then see what the day has in store. I am thinking I am going to make an axe handle today for an old Walters Axe I found here on our property a year or so ago. Which should be an interesting project! I will also see about setting up my cameras, and make a video of how I go about it. It will be interesting to see how things unfold, like the story revealing itself … one grain at a time.

You all have a great day and remember: “In a small country town, you’re never lost – just temporarily misplaced, waiting for someone to give you directions, and … maybe a slice of pie.” GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Blog Information

Hi Folks I just wanted to let you all know, that Karl my son is upgrading my Blog and Weather Station, which will take a few days to complete, the main part is still working, like where I do my morning posts and things, but the weather station and a few other things might take a bit to sort out. We have had a huge increase in traffic here at the Blog since I started my YouTube Channel, which is called Reviving The Simple Life, that Karl figured he had better upgrade a bit. Which he is doing, but he is a busy guy these days, which means he has to work my stuff in when he finds time. But rest assured, he will get to it. Anyway, I thought I would let you know what is going on, as I have gotten a lot of Emails mentioning that some things at the Blog here isn’t working properly. Have a great day. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Deliverin’ the Latest of What’s Happening on Feb. 22/2024

Good morning, where the stillness of the morning air reminds us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the quiet moments that make country living so special.

It’s a foggy morning here in cottage country, caused by the temperature being a touch warm meeting the cold snow. However, the sky should clear as the morning progresses, with the sun breaking through, giving us some Vitamin D3, which is what we all need to stay healthy. If more folks were taking it as a daily supplement throughout the winter months, and getting outside into the sunshine in the summer months, there would be a lot less trips needed to the doctor’s office. Another thing about vitamin D3 is that these so-called specialists in my mind should be making it part of your check-up, that is for those that gets a check-up. Others like myself, we pretty well know what is wrong with us, and lean towards fixing things on our own. But that is the way things were back in my day, and I never really changed. My old doctor retired now told me George no one knows your body better than you, all you need me for is to chat too about the things you can do yourself. Nice man for sure. It’s hard to find a doctor these days that will take the time to sit and talk to you about things. Another doctor I had many years ago owned a farm like we did and when I went to chat to him most of our chat was about what kind of fertilizer we were going to be putting down on our grapes. Had some great talks too.

Highway 522 is bare this morning, which will make traveling good for those heading on into the larger towns or cities.

On another note, that is exactly what my lovely wife and I did yesterday as we decided being a nice warm day to go into North Bay and pick up a few things that we were in need of. Had a good trip there and back, had lunch at a restaurant there in town, picked up a decaf coffee and headed on home while chatting away to each other, which by the way we are good at. As we have been at it for a good number of years. As a matter of fact, my wife and I are going to celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary next month. Hard to believe as it seems like just yesterday when we got together. Hard to find folks that stay married that long anymore, but there are a few of us old timers still kickin’.

Politician Humor: Years ago, a feller asked me, “George, how does a politician resemble a leaky roof?” “Beats me,” I replied.
“Well, I’ll tell ya. They promise to fix it, but you end up with a bigger mess when they’re done!” I believe that to be true. More so these days.

With that I am off for a bowl of oatmeal and a grapefruit from Florida this morning which will give us some added Vitamin C.

You have a great day and remember, “Troublemakers are like weeds; they’ll pop up wherever there’s fertile ground, but a good gardener/farmer knows how to pull them out.” But hey, I’ve decided to see the bright side – they may be a nuisance, but they sure do contribute to the circle of life! Trouble today, fertilizer tomorrow. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Morning Tales Unravel Here in Cottage Country on Feb. 20/2024

Good Morning, where the critters are stirring like they’re plotting something mischievous, and the coffee’s brewing like it’s got secrets to spill!

Heading out to my shop this morning, I soon noticed it’s a lot warmer this morning than it was yesterday. Which in turns means it won’t take all that much wood to heat our home or the shop. I have to admit, there is nothing that can compare to wood heat. Other than hot water. Years ago when we had our farms we installed into our home we built. We sure liked it.

On another note, yesterday I did do a bit of work in my shop and outside playing around with a few things. I also made a video which I will share with folks on my YouTube channel in the coming days. I try and put one new one on a week. So far, it’s been a real hit with folks wanting to see what this old feller is up to. One that I put on a few days ago is now reaching the 100,000 viewers. And people are subscribing daily to see more as I make them live. I have to say I am pretty amazed at how many folks are interested in how we did things years ago.

Highway 522 is pretty well bear this morning, which will make traveling good for those in need of things in the larger towns and cities. We don’t go all that often but every so often my wife and I get the urge to go see what the other half is doing, along with picking up a few things that can’t be found here in town.

Politician Humor: How does a politician resemble a stubborn mule?
Well, they both refuse to budge unless you dangle a carrot or two in front of ’em! And even then when they do move, the things they do, most of the time, costs the working man more money.

With that I am off for a bowl of porridge and a half a grapefruit that my lovely wife once again is making for me. I’m a pretty lucky guy to have a woman like her.

Have a great day and remember, “Trouble is like a stray dog; if you feed it, it’ll keep coming back for more scraps.” GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]